Led by Mayor Eric Perrodin, Compton is undergoing a sea of change and the gospel fest is among the type of family events designed to evolve into the "New Compton" landscape.

By Kenneth MillerSentinel Managing Editor

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The city of Compton is in the process of transforming itself into the place where everyone wants to be for the Gospel 2009 Concert. Under the leadership of Mayor Eric Perrodin, Compton is fast becoming a beacon of activity that is attracting businesses, building new homes and allowing the residents to really enjoy their community. As Perrodin explained, "It's our fourth annual Gospel Concert in the city of Compton, titled Gospel Concert 2009, and we're excited about bringing a positive atmosphere to the city of Compton to help change that negative image that people have about the city."The lineup of recording artists scheduled to perform are as impressive as the concert is expected to be. According to the Mayor, "We have Shirley Caesar, Hezekiah Walker, Kurt Carr, the Williams Brothers and the Soul Seekers. We also have New Jerusalem Church of God in Christ (choir) and they are going to be opening up." And judging from the lineup that Perrodin outlined, the concert promises to be better than all the past ones thus far. The whole thrust that the mayor, the city council and other city officials are seeking is to allow their city to take the lead among the surrounding cities of a similar size and demographics in restoring the community's faith in local government. In an all out effort to attract businesses and to improve the quality of life for its residents while changing the city's image to reflect a "kinder, friendlier landscape," over the past few years, Mayor Perrodin has been instrumental in bringing in a full service Wells Fargo Bank facility at the recently built Compton Towne Square off Alameda and the 91 Freeway. And that was the fourth Wells Fargo in the last decade (The Mayor is in his third term), as part of a larger initiative to effectively bring capital resources, financial education, job development and financial products and services to the community. When the branch opened, it was celebrated as a momentous occasion by the residents, business owners and community leaders.The mayor, who is also a deputy district attorney, is a lifelong resident of the city and has a vested interest in seeing that "his" city thrives. "No business is going to come to Compton unless it's profitable," he said, "Wells Fargo already had three other branches here and because of its success of that branch and a previous branch that was in a super market, they felt that Compton is a place where they can, not only make money but also contribute to the community." In promoting the new and improved Compton, the mayor is supported by a team that helps being about the "Changing Face of Compton" that is referenced in the city's website. The team includes council-members Barbara J. Calhoun, Lillie Dobson, Yvonne Arceneaux and Dr. Willie O. Jones; Charles Evans, city manager; Craig Cornwell, city attorney; Douglas Sanders, city treasurer; and Alita Godwin, city clerk. They, along with Mayor Perrodin, have redefined the city's image as one of a rapidly changing, increasingly thriving urban hub of hope, creativity and possibility. According to Perrodin, despite the current economic crisis that is rampant nationwide, "Compton is in good fiscal condition," which is due to the hard work and committed efforts of the mayor, the city council and the other city officials.

The concert is going to be on Saturday, September 12, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Compton Par 3 Golf Course located at 6400 East Compton Boulevard.